The event-tyres guy told me RFTs puncture more as they are so hard....
Don't really know why though???

The evidence seems to be building that the RFT is more prone to punctures, from the amount of users who have reported more punctures over a short period.

I'd suggest it is because the harder rubber structure is less likely to deflect objects and debris. Having worked with tooling to stamp rubber components, it is harder to penetrate softer, less supported rubber.

The evidence seems to be building that the RFT is more prone to punctures, from the amount of users who have reported more punctures over a short period.

I'd suggest it is because the harder rubber structure is less likely to deflect objects and debris. Having worked with tooling to stamp rubber components, it is harder to penetrate softer, less supported rubber.

HighlandPete

I've had 4/5 punctures on rfts... within a 2 year period....

and 1 puncture so far on my non rft....and thats within 1 month of having them!....

The event-tyres guy told me RFTs puncture more as they are so hard....
Don't really know why though???

Cannot fault 452s on normal roads. Only think I would see the benefit of contis with twice the power on a fast track. A

Not really, it's easy to make a tyre that is proficient in the dry. However the difficult and skillful part is making it good in the wet too.

A ContiSport 5 or Assymmetric 2 will work much better in the wet, and crucially reduce stopping distance significantly and will resist aquaplaning better. This is what you pay your money for. Falken's aren't cheap because Falken like making less profit, they're cheaper because they're mid range tyres that are not as good as the proper UHP tyres. This is not to say Falken's are bad tyres, because they're not, but they aren't the super awesome as-good-as-twice-as-expensive-tyres as many internet forums would have you believe.

Not really, it's easy to make a tyre that is proficient in the dry. However the difficult and skillful part is making it good in the wet too.

A ContiSport 5 or Assymmetric 2 will work much better in the wet, and crucially reduce stopping distance significantly and will resist aquaplaning better. This is what you pay your money for. Falken's aren't cheap because Falken like making less profit, they're cheaper because they're mid range tyres that are not as good as the proper UHP tyres. This is not to say Falken's are bad tyres, because they're not, but they aren't the super awesome as-good-as-twice-as-expensive-tyres as many internet forums would have you believe.

I would bet the premium brands do make far more margin (profit) on their tyres then Falken do. First rule of business - charge a premium for perceived premium brands. Look at BMW compared to Ford.

I would also say the difference is only a few percent not "much better" or "significantly" . Based on my experience, but not actually pushing to those limits.

And this personal experience is what the internet forums keep propagating. How many horror stories have you seen where a 452 has aquaplaned or not stopped a mapped 335d in time.....I cant recall any.

The evidence seems to be building that the RFT is more prone to punctures, from the amount of users who have reported more punctures over a short period.

I'd suggest it is because the harder rubber structure is less likely to deflect objects and debris. Having worked with tooling to stamp rubber components, it is harder to penetrate softer, less supported rubber.

Appreciate I'm not quite comparing apples for apples but commenting on the Brand, I've been running Falken ZEIX912's on the Miggins's Espace for a couple of years now and have been very pleased with them. This tyre also has a new version out which I will definately try next.

Regards the 453, I wouldnt be surprised if the early adopters are impressed with them, especially at the price point.

Yves

Quote:

Originally Posted by Statler

On the other hand, the Falkens could hardly be any worse than the Bridgestone RE50 RFT which are in the same league as the Michelins and Continentals on price....

I have 453s front in 225 and 452 rear 255. Its the first BMW I have had that does not understeer. None, zero in fact it is more like driving a mk2 escort which is weird considering it has an elephant in the front. I had P zeros all round when I bought it and I cant say these are any worse. I also think its one of the worst cars for being hard on the tyres. Incidentally I run nothing like the quoted pressures I check the pressure rise and adjust from there. I run 40 cold front on the Falkens or they feel soft. Its hard sometimes with forums but I do get this sideways at 70mph with the aids off. If a vredestein supastick allows me 72mph Im not sure I could tell without timesheets. Every tyre needs its own pressure on a given day to perform at its best. On my rally car I use a temp probe. I sometimes wonder if people think subjectively one tyre is better than another simply because they arent changing pressures enough. I have an autocar test here with a range of tyres tested from budget to branded. Some gain here and lose there, not one tyre really stood out. I think on wet handling the difference between best and worst was something like 0.4g. So you buy the top tyre that allows 0.93g wet and finds that it stops from 70mph, 1.2m longer in the dry. That is probably not much help but I felt it had to be said. Added up on points the premium brands usually come out top which takes into account wear and resistance etc.

Had the 453 on my 335i 18" rears. They were comfortable and quiet compared to the Bridgestone RFT RA05. Can't say much about how long they lasted, only had them for 2000 miles before I sold the car.

Performance, they worked so well even though it was icy/snowy 1C when I got them, gave a boot full and the Traction Control barely cut at all. So surprised the amount of grip it had in those situations! Aquaplaning was good too. And they were cheap.

I like the look of the tire as well, has a nice bulge on the side wall compared to the Bridgestone which curved inwards, makes it look chunkier.

Note, did have a strange minor wobble vibration feel at 70-80 but I don't know if it's the tyre or wheel balance or something else. Never found out what it was.

First big complements to the best wheel shop ive ever been to Wheel Specialists, Inc in Tempe, AZ aka WSI if you have high end wheels just ship them to these guys to ensure no scratches or damage, or just move to AZ, haha. Ive had some HRE/Work nightmares with other shops.
Why?
Highend Center Mounting machine nothing touches the lips ever.
High end balancing machine sensors scan the wheel to find the lowest spots, makes a graphic image of the wheel on screen so the factory high spot in the tire where the rubber is fused together (factory marks this) is perfectly matched every time. No second and 3rd visits to get it right.

E90 335i - New FK452 stretched, side walls and ability to rotate are perfect for aggressive offsets, hella flush, neg camber applications. Price is also amazing at ~$160/tire ($890 mounted balanced, nitrogen).
Prior was conti extreme DW (discontinued) lasted about 30k miles, 2yrs (ran the rears backwards).
Pro for my Application: FK452 are a bit harder but will last much longer, and can rotate. I run -1.8 camber out back.

550i Msport
Before FK452 (symentrical so you can rotate them with dismounts) - Lots of road noise, but can theoretically last twice as long because you can use both sides of the tire when running neg camber.

Replaced yesterday with new FK453 about 100 miles on them now
275/30/19 and 245/35/19
Pro: These are smooth as butter. Soft, and quiet, grip. Complements bmw quality ride, wont track or jerk with grooves in the road. The price just cant be beat. Remind me of Mich PS2's at $550each.
All 4 with nitrogen mounted and balanced ($1050 -$80MIR)

CON: These tires are directional and cannot be rotated. Sidewall is more of a rounded fit not as hella flush friendly as a FK452 would be.

Eventyres are very good as well. IN surrey /.hants they source from mitcheldever but added bonus come to you to fit and since the fitted inspects and signs off on the alloys if they mark them it comes out of their pocket. Hence very carefull. Price wise very good as well